Ask a North Korean: How do North Koreans get a driver’s license? | NK News
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September 28, 2026Sep 28, 2026

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Ask A North Korean

Ask a North Korean: How do North Koreans get a driver’s license?

Fuel shortages mean most get little driving practice before hitting the road, but there are ways to cheat the system

“Ask a North Korean” is an NK News series featuring interviews with North Korean defectors, most of whom left the DPRK within the last few years.

Readers may submit their questions for defectors by emailing [email protected] and including their first name and city of residence.

Today’s question is about driving and car culture in North Korea.

Hyun-seung Lee — who comes from an elite North Korean family and defected in 2014 — spoke with NK News about the yearlong driver training program, private car ownership and why there are so few female drivers in the country.

Leenow resides in